Efficacy of intrarectal lidocaine hydrochloride gel for pain control in patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of intrarectal lidocaine hydrochloride gel in reducing pain in patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS During the period from June to November 2002, 72 patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy at an outpatient service were prospectively randomized. Patients were divided into 2 groups. In group 1, 20 mL of 2% lidocaine gel were administered by intrarectal route 15 minutes before biopsy. In group 2 (placebo), 20 mL of ultrasound gel were administered under the same conditions. At the end of the procedure, patients were asked to classify the discomfort degree observed during the procedure through a verbal pain scale. Statistical analysis was performed through qui-square test. RESULTS The majority of patients in both groups presented slight pain on the examination, and 26 patients (76.4%) from group 1, and 26 (68.3%) patients from group 2 reported slight pain or no pain at all (p > 0.05). Moderate or intense pain was felt by 23.4% of patients in group 1 and 31.5% of patients in group 2 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We concluded that lidocaine probably exerts a minimal effect on patients' tolerance to pain on transrectal prostate biopsy.